The University of Virginia has released a new set of safety rules to govern social events hosted by fraternities in the academic institution, Washington Post reported.
University President Teresa A. Sullivan authorized the additional provisions to the University's Fraternal Organization Agreement or FOA on Tuesday.
The FOA provides the guidelines submitted by the Greek leadership councils headed by students that aim to specify the rules and regulations to be adhered to by every fraternity and sorority in the school. These will be implemented to ensure the safety and welfare of the students and guests of the social gatherings.
The move was made following the influx of news reports allegedly exposing various rape and sexual assault cases involving fraternity members and female students.
"I believe the new safety measures recommended by the student leaders in the Greek community will help provide a safer environment for their members and guests," shared Sullivan following the review of the submitted guidelines. "I would like to express my sincere appreciation to our student leaders who have worked so diligently in the past several weeks to bring forth substantive recommendations and improvements consistent with the ideals of our community of trust," she added.
Under the new rules, fraternity functions hosted by Greek-led groups in the university will have to assign three "sober and lucid" members to supervise the parties and the guests. One of the members assigned to monitor the parties should be stationed on the stairs or halls leading to the private quarters.
The other monitor should supervise the distribution of alcoholic drinks served to the guests. An additional sober monitor must be assigned by the hosts for every 30 guests invited to the party. The members assigned to these tasks must wear a designated identifier.
Non-first year members of the fraternity should be delegated to the said position to provide better management of the events. In addition, the sober brothers assigned on the stairs must have "immediate key access" to all the rooms in the fraternity house.
Only beers in unopened cans may be distributed to guests, while wines will be allowed only if it will be "poured visibly by a sober brother at the bar." It means that Pre-mixed drinks, punches and other unsealed beverages are not allowed to be served.
"The Inter-Sorority Council's safety recommendations represent what we believe to be the best ways to better ensure the well-being of our fellow members," revealed Inter-Sorority Council President Julia Pedrick.
